Hydraulic actuating mechanism for domestic laundry appliances



J Feb. 11, 1936. J. T. HUME 2,030,257

HYDRAULIC AGTUATING MECHANISM FOR DOMESTIC LAUNDRY APPLIANCES Filed May10, 1933 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 11, 1936.

HYDRAULIC J. T. HUME 2,030,257

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR DOMESTIC LAUNDRY APPLIANCES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 10, 1955 Feb. 11, 1936. J M 2,030,257

HYDRAULIC ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR DOMESTIC LAUNDRY APPLIANCES Filed May10, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 reswted at. -11, i936 UNITED STATE PATENTOFFICE assess: I I i.i... sf.i zwzlf ministers Household Utilities '03 acorporation of Illinois Application May 10, 1933 Serial No'.-670,264

rporation, GMMQ, mu,

Claim- (CI. 88-42) My invention relates to improvements in domesticlaimdering appliances such as ironing machines and wringers for domesticwashing machines. I

Domestic laundering appliances employ pressure elements between whichthe clothes are placed and by which pressure is applied to the clothesin accordance with the particularoperation. In the wringers of washingmachines, these pressure elements are in the form of parallel rollswhich are relatively rotatable for squeezing the water from the clothesplaced therebetween and which are relatively movable toward and fromeach other whereby the rolls can be separated during normal operatingconditions or under emergency conditions as when the operator's fingers"or harids become caught between the rolls. In domestic ironing machinesthe pressure elements are represented by a rotating roll and a shoemovable towards and from the roll and adapted to apply ironing pressureto the clothes placed between the roll and the shoe. Inv

both types of machine one of said pressure elements is rotatably' drivenand the other is bodily 'movabie towards and from the driven element.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide hydraulicallyactuated mechanism for driving the rotatable element and for actuatingthe movable element to apply pressure between said elements.

A further object is to provide a combined unitary hydraulically actuatedmechanism for both operations of the pressure elements which are capableofindependent control, preferably from a plurality of easily accessiblepoints on the machines.

Other objects of the invention will appear nism of a domestic washingmachine,

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a view in'elevation of a portion ofthe wringer and hydraulic actuating mechanism,

the housing of the hydraulic mechanism being broken away and interioroperating parts being shown in section to better illustrate theconstruction and operation thereof;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the structure shown in Fig.l, substantially on the line 2-! thereof; g

Fig. 3 is a fractional view of a portion of Fig. l, illustratingtheparts in a diii'erent position;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig.1, illustrating the construction of the control valve; and 5 Fig. 5 is ahorizontal detail section on theline H of Fig. 1,-illustrating theinterior of the pressure pump.

In the structure shown in the drawings, the wringer, including itsframe, may be of the type 19 generally associated with domestic washingmachines. 'lhe wringer frame A extends laterally from a standard Bpositioned vertically alongside of the tub C of the washing machine,this wringer frame A being mounted on the upper 15 end of the standard Bto swing to diilerent positions relatively to the tub. The lower framemember I of the wringer frame has two upright channeled standards ormembers 2 spaced apart and between which the rolls D and E are posi- 20tioned, although the drawings illustrate only one end of the horizontalmember I of the wringer 2s frame. The uprights 2 have bearings 3 inwhich the shaft 4 of the lower wringer roll E is mounted. This shaftextends into the head or housin 5 which is formed as a part of thewringer frame.

The upper roll D has a shaft 6 which is iournaled at its ends in thehanger members 1 of a yoke 8, and this roll, by means of the yoke 8, isadapted to be bodily moved into and out of pressure relation with thelower roll E, whereby the rolls can be widely separated. The endportions of the yoke l and the hanger members 1 are guided vertically bymeans of the channeled uprights 2 of the wringer frame.

The housing 5 forming a part of the wringer frame is positioned directlyabove and is mounted 40 upon the standard 13 in such manner that theentire wringer may be swung about a vertical pivot on the standard B forthe purpose of adthe upper wringer roll D. Mounted upon the so upper endof the housing is a cylinder III in which a fluid-operated piston iscontained for the operating mechanism of the upper wringer roll D, ashereinafter explained. A power shaft I I extends upwardly in thestandard B into the lower end of the housing 5, and drives the fluidpump G. This shaft II may be driven by any suitable means, such as anelectric motor (not shown) which is generally used for machines of thistype and which is generally positioned beneath the tub C. The fluidpressure pump may be of any suitable type for the pur pose. In thepresent structure it is shown as of the gear type and comprises ahorizontally disposed casing I2 in which a pair of meshing gears I3 arerotatably mounted in close fitting relation to the walls of the casing,the ends of the pump casing being rounded to conform to the periphery ofthe gear members. The pump casing has an inlet port I4 (Fig. 5) and anoutlet port I5. The pump gears are both mounted upon shafts journaled inthe pump casing, the shaft for the driving gear being the main powershaft I I the upper end of which extends into the pump casing andcarries the gear I3. The inlet port I4 of the pump communicates directlywith the interior of the housing 5 whereby the pump will withdraw theoil from the supply thereof in the housing 5 and discharge it underpressure from the outlet I5. The pump is of sufllcient capacity tosupply the fluid under the proper pressure both to the lower rolldriving motor F and the upper roll. actuating mechanism, even when bothof these mechanisms are in operation simultaneously. The pump, as beforementioned, is contained within the lower portion of the housing 5 anddisposed in a substantially horizontal plane- The lower portion I6 ofthe housing 5 is extended laterally to accommodate the pump.

In the present structure the lower roll driving motor F is positionedwithin the housing 5 and is directly connected to the shaft 4 of thelower roll which extends through the housing and is journaled insuitable bearings I1 and I8 in the opposite walls thereof. The motorincludes a cylindrical casing I9 forming a cylindrical chamber which ispositioned in eccentric relation to the cylindrical rotor on the shaft 4of the wringer roll, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. The rotor carriesa plurality of radially disposed vanes 2| which are disposed in radialslots in the rotor so that they can move in and out to maintain theirouter edges in contact with the wall cylindrical chamber 20, as is wellknown in motors of this character. The vanes are yieldingly urgedradially outwardly by the springs 22 in the slots of the rotor.

The motor housing is provided with two passages 23 and 24 on oppositesides which lead to ports 25 and 26 communicating with the interior ofthe motor chamber I9, and both of these ports are circumferentiallyelongated so as to extend into communication with several of thecompartments formed between the vanes in the rotor, as is the usualpractice in motors of this type. The motor herein shown is of thereversible type which can be rotated in either direction as desired, sothat the ports 25 and 26 become inlet and outlet ports, or vice versa,depending upon which direction the pressure fluid is supplied to themotor.

The control of the fluid to the motor is accomplished by means of avalve which is provided with a push button 21 at each end, these pushbuttons being located on opposite sides of the housing so that they willbe conveniently accessible from either side of the wringer.

The housing 5 is provided with an elongated cylindrical valve chamber 33which extends the width of the housing and is provided witha pluralityof cylindrical slide valve members 3I, 32, 33, and 34, all mounted infixed relation upon the vvalve stem or rod 35 the outer ends of whichcarry the push buttons 21. The passages 23 and 24 leading to the motorports communicate with the valve chamber 30, and the valve members 3|and 32 are so arranged that they control the flow of fluid to and fromthe passage 23. The valve members '33 and 34 control the flow of fluidto and from the passage 24. The valve members of each pair are spacedapart on the valve rod so that when these spaces between the valvemembers of a pair are in alignment with a port communicating with thevalve chamber 33, the fluid will flow through those ports, and when thevalve members are shifted to block the ports communieating with thevalve chamber the ports will be closed against the flow of fluidtherethrough.

A common supply passage 40 is formed in the housing and connectsdirectly with the outlet I5 of the pressure pump, as shown more clearlyin Fig. 2. This common passage has a port 4| communicating with thevalve chamber 30 adjacent the passage 23, and a port 42 communicatingwith the valve chamber 30 adjacent the passage 24. The valve chamber 30has an outlet port 43 adjacent the passage 23 and communciating with theinterior of the housing. It also has another outlet port 44 adjacent thepassage 24 and communicating with the interior of the housing. The valvechamber 30 also has a third port 45 between the passages 23 and 24 andcommunicating with the interior of the housing.

These ports and passages are all disposed in such relation that theshifting of the valve controls the flow of fluid through the passagesand the housing in the direction corresponding to the direction in whichit is desired to rotate the lower roll E; In Fig. 2 the valve mechanismis shown in a neutral position in which the flow of fluid to the motoris closed off in either direction and the roll E remains idle. In thisneutral position the valve member 3| closes the passage 23 to the motorand the valvermember 34 closes the passage 24 to the motor. In thisposition of the parts the pump is running and discharging fluid underpressure into the passage 40 and taking its supply of fluid from thereserve in the housing through its inlet I4. In this neutral position,the space between the valve members 3I and 32 opens the ports M and 43and the fluid from the passage 40 simply returns to the supply in thehousing through the port 43. In like manner the space between the valvemembers 33 and 34 opens the ports 42 and 44 and the fluid dischargesthrough port 44 into the housing. Thus, although the pump is running,the fluid is simply circulated within the passages and the housing 5.

If the motor is to be rotated in a left-hand direction, as viewed inFig. 2, the valve members are shifted to the right by means of the rod,until the passages 23 and 24 are both uncovered. The port 4I will beclosed by valve member 3I and the port 44 closed by valve member 33. Thefluid under pressure therefore will flow from the common passage 40through port 42, the space between valve members 33 and 34, into passage24, and thence into the motor, rotating the motor in a left-handdirection. The fluid leaves the motor through passage 23 and flows intovalve chamber of oil in the housing 5.

5 If the. motor is to be run in the opposite direc tion, the valve isshifted to the left of the neutral position shown in Fig. 2, so that theport 42 will be covered by valve member 34 and .the passage 25 will beuncovered by the valve member 3 I. When the roller is to be stopped, thevalve is shifted to the neutral or off position shown in Fig. 2, inwhich case both passages to the motor are closed and the fluidcirculated within the housing, as hereinbefore described; In order toprevent pressure being built up in the extreme end portions of the valvechamber 30, which pressure would interfere with the shifting ofthevalve, there is pro-.

vided ports 45 connecting the valve chamber end portions with theinterior ofthe housing whereby the fluid can flow in and out of theseportions freely as the valve is shifted.

As before mentioned, an upright cylindrical casing i0 is mounted on theupper end of the housing 5 and forming a cylinder in which a verticallymovable piston is positioned. This piston is provided with suitablesealing rings Hand forms a movable partition which divides the cylindereasing into upper and lower compartments or chambers 5| and 52, thelowercompartment 52 comprising a pressure compartment and the upper onean overflow or reserve compartment for the fluid.

A conduit pipe 53 is connected at its upper end to a port in the wall ofthe upper compartment of the cylinder and forms an outlet for said uppercompartment. I The lower end of the conduit connects with the port 55 inthe wall of the housing 5 so thatthe upper cylinder compartment becomesin effect a part of the housing 5 so far as containing the reserve bodyof fluid is concerned.

The lower cylinder compartment or chamber 52 is supplied .with fluidunder pressure from the pump G, by means of a pipe 55, the upper end ofwhich connects with the cylinder chamber 52 through port 56, and thelower end of which connects with the passage 40 through port 51, theseconnections being independent of the valve, hereinbefore described,which controls the motor F. Pressure from the pump thus forces thepiston upwardly in thecylinder. However, a by-pass passage 58, formed inan enlargement at the side of the cylinder casing l0, connects with theupper and lower compartments through the ports 59' and 50, respectively,these ports communicating with the respective compartments beyond therange of movement of the piston so that they will not be covered at anytime by the piston.

" Since the by-pass connects the upper and lower compartments of thecylinder, the fluid under pressure in the lower compartment will flowthrough the by-pass to the upper compartment and simply circulate aroundthe piston without applying pressure to the piston. Howeve when pressureis to be applied to the piston'to force it upwardly in the cylinder, theby-pass 55 can,

be closed and the fluid thereby prevented from circulating into theupper compartment. The pressure developed in the lower compartmenttherefore causes the piston to rise in the cylinder and, through themedium of mechanism hereinafter described, operates to bring the upperwringer roll D down into pressure relation with the lower roll E. s

The control of the by-pass passage 58 is'accomplished by means of aslide valve H shown more 11 on the wringer frame upright 2.

a clearly in Fig. 4. This control valve is similar to the valvehereinbefore described and comprises two small cylinders ll' mountedupon a control cylindrical valve chamber 53 formed in an enlargement 54of the cylinder casing III, The valve members 5| are spaced apart on thevalve rod 62 so that when said valve members are positioned' as showninFlg. 4, with the space 55 in alignment with the by-pass 58, it formsa' continuation forthe by-llflfl-whereby the fluid can circulate throughsaid by-pass. The valve is provided with two valve members 5| so that itwill close the by-pass when it is shifted in either direction. The valverod 52 extends at either end beyond the valve casing, and at each end ispro-- vided with a push button 66. These buttons are positioned onopposite sides of the wringer to be convenient for the operator. Theyare positioned relatively close to the wringer roll so that for norrod62 and arranged to slide horizontally in 'a mal control of .the wringeror in the event of an emergency the valve is immediately accessible fromeither side of the wringer. --'I'he end portions of the valve chamber 63are provided with outlets I its upper side with a boss 68 which isengaged by a central boss 69 formed'on the piston and serves as a stopfor the lower position of the piston. The upper-end of the pistoncarries a hollow piston rod 10 which extends to the exterior of thecylinder casing l0 through suitable packing glands H in the upper headof the casing. The upper end of the piston is pivotally connected at 12with an operating lever 13 the opposite end of which is pivotallyconnected at I4 with the lugs 15 extending upwardly from the center ofthe rollcarrying yoke 8, for thepurpose of transmitting the power fromthe piston -to the roll-carrying yoke 8. This lever-is fulcrumed at 16intermediate itsends on a fixed upstanding bracket pressure is appliedto the underside of the'piston, the upward movement'of the piston willbe transmittedthrough the operating lever 13 to the rollcarrying yoke 8and press the upper roll D downwardly into pressure relation with thelower roll E, as indicated in Fig. 3, and this pressure will bemaintained on the rolls.

- Means are provided by which the pressure may be adjusted as desired,and this means also acts as a pressure relief device in the event thatthe pressure exceeds that for which the mechanism is adjusted. Thecentral boss '59 of the piston has a passage 80 which communicates atits lower end with the pressure compartment 52 of the cylinder. At itsupper end, it communicates with the upper compartment SI of the cylinderthrough the ports 8| which are provided in the hollow pisbe adjusted bymeans of the screw plug 86 in the Thus, when upper end-of the piston rod10. Thus the ball valve member will maintain the passage closed to theextent to which the pressure on the ball is adjusted, and thisadjustment can be made to correspond to the normal operating pressurerequired between the wringer rolls. If for any reason, such as an extrawad of clothes being positioned between the wringer rolls, causing thepressure on the piston to become excessive, the valve 83 will unseat andrelieve this excess pressure by permitting the oil to flow into theupper cylinder compartment until the pressure between the rolls isrestored to normal. This relief device thus makes it' impossible to jamthe wringer rolls or impose an undue load thereon and at the same timeautomatically restores the normal operating pressure as soon as theabnormal condition is removed.

A breather pipe 81, open to the atmosphere, is provided for the uppercylinder compartment. This pipe is curved and its end opens downwardlyto permit ingress and egress of air, but to prevent entrance of dirt orwater to said compartment. A guard 88 prevents oil from leaving thecompartment through the breather pipe.

It is obvious that changes in the construction, arrangement andoperation of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, and it is understood that I contemplate such changes asare fairly embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a self contained wringer operating mechanism of theclassdescribed, the combination of a swingable wringer head having a wringerframe, including wringer rolls mounted thereon, one of said membersbeing rotatable and the other being separable therefrom for the passageof material therebetween, a fluid motor mounted within said head forrotating one of said rolls, a fluid actuated mechanism mounted withinsaid head for applying pressure to said other roll a pump within saidhead for supplying fluid under pressure independently to said motor andsaid fluid actuated mechanism, a support for the head, and a power shaftassociated with said support for driving said pump.

2. In a self-contained wringer operating mechanism of the classdescribed, the combination of a swingable wringer head having a frameincluding wringer rolls mounted thereon, one of said rolls beingrotatable and the other being separable therefrom for the passage ofmaterial therebetween, a fluid motor mounted within said head forrotating one of said rolls, a fluid actuated cylinder and pistonmechanism within said head for applying pressure to said other roll, apump within said head for supplying fluid under pressure independentlyto said motor and said fluid actuated mechanism, independent controlvalves associated with said head for controlling the fluid pressure tosaid motor and said fluid actuated mechanism, a support for the head,and a power shaft associated with said support for driving said pump.

3. In a wringer mechanism of the class described, the combination of aframe, a pair of wringer rolls mounted in said frame and separable underpressure, a supporting standard, a wringer head swingably mountedthereon and supporting said frame, a shaft for one of said rollsextending into the head, a fluid actuated motor within the head,including a casing and a rotor therein directly connected with saidshaft, a pump within the head having its inlet communicating directlywith the interior of the head, means forming passages connected with theoutlet of the pump for conducting fluid under pressure to the motor, anda valve controlling the passages.

4. In a wringer mechanism of the class described, the combination of asupporting standard,

a wringer head swingably mounted on said standard and having a wringerframe mounted there- 'on, a pair of wringer rolls mounted in said frame,

a shaft for one of said rolls extending into the head, a fluid actuatedmotor within the head, including a casing and a rotor therein connectedwith said shaft, a pump within the head having its inlet communicatingdirectly with the interior of the head, means forming passages connectedwith the outlet of the pump for conducting fluid under. pressure to themotor, a fluid actuated piston in said head, lever mechanism connectingsaid piston with said other roll, a valve mounted in said headcontrolling the flow of fluid under pressure to said piston, and anindependent valve controlling the flow of fluid under pressure throughsaid passages to the motor.

5. The combination of a supporting column, a wringer head swingablymounted on said column, a wringer frame mounted on said head and havingwringer rolls mounted therein, a cylinder formed within said head, apiston movable in said cylinder, means connecting the piston with one ofsaid wringer rolls for applying pressure thereto, a fluid motor withinsaid head for rotating said other wringer roll, and a pump within saidhead for supplying fluid under pressure to actuate the piston thereinand to said motor for driving the motor.

6. In a self-contained wringer operating mechanism of the classdescribed, the combination of a wringer head having a wringer, includingwringer rolls mounted therein, said rolls being separable under pressureof material passed therebetween, a rotary fluid actuated motor withinsaid head having a rotor directly connected to one of said rolls fordriving same, a. fluid actuated reciprocable piston in said head forapplying pressure to the other wringer roll, a fluid pump within thehead for supplying fluid under pressure to said motor and to saidpiston, means in said head forming by-passes around said motor andpiston communicating with the interior of said head for directing thefluid under pressure around the motor and piston, an independent valvein said head for each by-pass for controlling the fluid therethrough, asupport on which said head is swingably mounted, and a power shaftassociated with said support for driving said pump.

'7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of asupporting member, a wringer head swingably mounted thereon, a wringerincluding wringer rolls supported by said head, a fluid actuatedmechanism in said head for effecting movement of one of said wringerrolls toward the other for the purpose of applying pressure thereto, afluid actuated motor in said head for rotating the other wringer roll,and a pump for supplying fluid pressure to said fluid actuated mechanismand said fluid actuated motor.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of asupporting member, a wringer head swingably mounted thereon, a wringerincluding wringer rolls supported by said head, a fluid actuatedmechanism in said head for effecting movement of one of said wringerrolls toward the other for the purpose of applying pressure thereto, afluid actuated motor in said head for rotating the other wringer roll, apump for supplying fluid pressure to said fluid actuatedmechanism andsaid fluid actuated motor, and means in said head for controlling thefluid to said motor to reverse the direction of rotation thereof.

9. In a structure of the class described, the

a combination of a supporting member, a wringer head swingably mountedthereon, a wringer including wringer rolls supported bysaid head, afluid actuated mechanism in said head for effecting movement of one ofsaid wringer rolls toward the other for the purpose of applying pressurethereto, a fluid actuated motor in said head for rotating the otherwringer roll, a pump for supplying fluid pressure to said fluid actuatedmechanism and said fluid actuated motor, and manually actuated meansassociated with said head for independently controlling the fluid tosaid fluid actuated mechanism and to said fluid actuated motor.

. 10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of aunitary swingabie wringer head forming a housing, a fluid actuatedpiston within the housing, a wringer including a pair of cooperatingwringer mils mounted on said head, one of said rolls being movabletoward and from the other, means connecting the fluid actuated pistonwith the movable roll, whereby said piston moves said movable rolltoward the other roll for the purpose of applying pressure thereto, afluid actuated motor within the housing connected to said other roll forrotating said other roll, a fluid pump within the housing for supplyingfluid under pressure to said fluid actuated piston and said fluidactuated motor, and a supporting column having a power drive shaftextending into the head for driving said fluid pump. 11. The combinationof a swingabie wringer head having a pair of wringer rolls extendinglaterally therefrom and having a cylinder formed therein and a fluidactuated piston in said cylinder, means connecting the piston with oneof said wringer rolls to apply pressure thereto, a fluid actuated motorcarried by said head and connected with said other wringer roll forrototing said roll, a support for said head, a fluid pump associatedwith said head for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder andmotor, and means associated with said support for driving said pump.

12. The combination of a swingable wringer head having a pair of wringermils extending laterally therefrom and having a cylinder formed thereinand a fluid actuated piston in said cylinder, means connecting thepiston with one of said 50 wringer rolls to apply pressure thereto, afluid actuated motor carried by said head and connected with said otherwringer roll for rotating said roll, a support for said head, a fluidpump associated with said head for supplying fluid under pressure to thecylinder and motor, means associated with said support for driving saidpump, and means assoicated with said head for independently controllingthe fluid to said cylinder and motor.

13. The combination of a support having a power drive shaft associatedtherewith, a wringer head swingably mounted upon said support and havingwringer rolls extending laterally therefrom, a fluid actuatedreciprocable motor carried by said head and connected with one of saidrolls for applying pressure thereto, a fluid actuated rotary motorwithin the head and connected with another of said wringer rolls forrotating the same, and a fluid pressure pump within said head and drivenby said power shaft for applying fluid under pressure to both of saidmotors.

14. The combination of a support having a power drive shaft associatedtherewith, a wringer 'head swingably mounted upon said support andhaving wringer rolls extending laterally therefrom, a fluid actuatedreciprocable motor carried by said head and connected with one of saidrolls for applying pressure thereto, a fluid actuated rotary motorwithin the head and con-v nected with another of said wringer rolls forrotating the same, a fluid pressure pump within said head and driven bysaid power shaft for applying fluid under pressure to both of saidmotors, means carried by the head for reversing the flow of fluid tosaid rotary motor to reverse the direction of rotation thereof, andindependent means for controlling the flow of fluid to the reciprocablemotor.

15. The combination of a support, a wringer head swingably mounted uponsaid suppo'rt and forming a housing and containing a fluid actuatedreciprocable motor, a fluid actuated rotary motor and a fluid pressurepump, a pair of wringer rolls carried by said swingabie head, one ofsaid rolls having its shaft extending into the head and connected withsaid rotary motor to be rotated thereby, means connecting the other rollwith said reciprocable motor to be actuated thereby, and a power shaftassociated with said support and extending into the housing andconnected with said pump for driving the pump.

JOHN T. HUME.

